Automatic weight-holder



(No Model.)

` vW. P. H001).

- AUTOMATIC WEIGHT HOLDER. v I No. 547,549. j Patented'ot. 8, 1895.

WITWESSES WILLIS F.HOOD, OF

DETR o1T,1vt'roH1eAN.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHT-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lett ers Patent No. 547,549, dated October 8, 1895. Application filed February 4:, 1895; Serial I l'or53'7fl8l. (No model.)

To all whom it mag/concern Be it known that I, WILLIS F. HOOD,`a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Weight-Holders; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object an auto- I matic weight-holder more particularly designed for druggists use, although my invention contemplates as coming within its scope all uses to which the device may be found adapted. I will, however, describe the invention as more especially adapted for the use of druggists to hold different denominations of weights to be used with druggists scales, the device being so constructed and arranged as to readily effect an automatic delivery of any weight or weights whenever the weights are needed for use with the scales.

My invention consists of the construction, combination, and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the device. Fig. 3 -is a cross-section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1.

The desirability of a device to conveniently receive Weights of different sizes and denominations, and whereby any given weight may readily be delivered therefrom for use, is apparent. Ordinarily the weights of different sizes and denominations are thrown promiscuously together in any suitable receptacle, and it becomes necessary, therefore, to pick out of the mass any given weight desired.

My invention contemplates the provision of a series of pockets or receptacles, one for each denomination of weight, the receptacle for each specified denomination being indicated, so that the weight can be more readily anddaccurately obtained for use whenever desire I carry out my invention as follows:

A represents a chambered receptacle, made of wood or of any other suitable material, provided kwith a series of pockets o. therein of any required number. These pockets may be of any desired shape. When the receptacle is made of wood, it will be convenient simply to bore out these pockets through the strip of which the receptacle A is made.

B is a cover for the receptacle A, preferably hinged in any suitable manner, as shown at b. The pockets a extend through the receptacle or strip A, but are closed at the base thereof by a series of plates or wings O, corresponding in number to the number of pockets. These plates or wings are each hinged in any suitable manner toward their rear ends to the receptacle or strip A, as shown at c. The hinging may easily and economically be veffected simply by means of a staple, one prong of which passes through the plate into the wood, the other prong of the staple passing simply into the wood.

D denotes a spring exerting its tension upon each of the plates O to hold them normally in closed position and to restore them into closed position when they have been opened. I do not limit myself to any particular Way of arranging and locating the spring to bear upon the corresponding plate, as I contemplate any spring-actuated plate as coming within the scope of my invention. The series of springs may, however, be economically located and arranged in position by means of staples D', driven thereover into the piece A. I prefer to locateunder the rear ends of the spring a strip E of a ,thickness equal to that of the plates O, so as to bring the rear ,end of the spring on the same plane with its front end, thereby holding the forward ends of the springs snugly against the plates.

F denotes a series of keys sleeved through the receptacle A, preferably to the rear of each of the pockets a, the lower end of each key bearing upon the corresponding plate C. Each of the keys F are made reciprocatory in corresponding pockets in the receptacle A, so that by pressing down a given key the corresponding plate O will be tilted downward at may be in the corresponding pocket. To hold the keys in place in their corresponding pook` ets I prefer to cut away the stem of the key, as shown at f, from the head downward, a suitable distance, as shown, and locate upon its front end,so as to deliver any weight that ICO the strip or receptacle A a bar G, the edge of which is in'proximity to the cut-away portion of the key. By this construction it will be evident that a shoulder f is formed on the stem of the key toward its lower end, the bar G being located between said shoulder and the head of the key. It is obvious that the spring-plates on the bottom of the receptacle when free to rise will restore the keys to normal position. To indicate the individual keys I prefer to provide the cover with a strip IYI-as of paper, for example-secured to the inside of the cover, bearing suitable characters, as indicated in Fig. 1, corresponding to the weights in the corresponding pockets. These characters, however, may be located otherwiselon the device if desired. As so located, however, they are conspicuously eX- posed to view when the cover is raised, and in a good position to engage the eye.

The operation of the device will now be understood. If the operator desires a drain weight, for example, he simply glances at the corresponding character upon the strip H and presses the key adjacent thereto, holding his hand underneath the corresponding pocket, and the corresponding Weight is thereby automatically delivered into his hand. Vhen not in use the cover may be closed down to protect the pockets and weights from dust. The receptacle A may be supported in any desired manner--as, for example, by suitable brackets upon an adjacent shelf or counter. It will be convenient simply to attach L-shaped brackets to the ends of the receptacle A, the opposite arm of said brackets being attached to a shelf, but obviously any suitable supports may be provided underneath the receptacle A out of the way of the pockets, as at the ends of the receptacle.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. A weight holder consisting of a receptacle provided with a series of pockets, a series of spring actuated oscillatory plates hinged at one end to the under surface of the receptacle to close the base of each of said pockets, a vertically recprocatory key sleeved through the receptacle tothe rear ot' each of said pockets bearing against the upper face of the co1'- responding plate, and means to retain said keys in position, substantially as set forth.

2. In a Weight holder, a receptacle provided with a series of pockets, a series of plates hinged to the rear of the receptacle to close the base of each of said pockets, a spring bearing upon each of said plates, a series of keys sleeved through the receptacle bearing upon the corresponding plate, said keys having their stems cut away a portion of their length, and a retaining bar G to hold the keys from displacement, substantially as set forth.

3. A weight holder having in combination a receptacle provided with a series 01": orifices forming a series of pockets therein, a plate C having a jointed engagement at one end with the receptacle to close the base of each of said pockets, a spring D secured to one end upon the receptacle and having its oppo site end bearing against the adjacent plate, a strip E underneath the rear ends of said springs, a series of keys sleeved through the receptacle at the rear of said pockets, a retaining strip G, a cover for said receptacle, and means to designate the denomination of weights contained in said pockets, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIS F. HOOD.

Witnesses:

O. B. BAENZIGER, M. A. MARTIN. 

